I lay on bed staring at the ceiling. My thoughts wondered from my family, to the tomato crop, to the quickly approaching finals, to summer break, and then of course to Bram. So many things made our love difficult.
It hadn't been long since he came back. Not long at all. But I wish it had. I had acted foolishly; weaving a web of nasty lies and most had yet to forgive me. Then there was the little dilemma of my father accidentally killing his and the legacy of hatred between our families that had lasted for generations. I know, so Romeo and Juliet cliché.
Bram forgave me for everything. He was even willing to meet my family. They were holding us back.
My sister only spoke to me as necessary, she was okay with a Crutchfield being my Ex, but being my soul mate, my true love, my (dare I say it) boyfriend?? That was unacceptable. Mom, well she spoke to me normally. That is as long as I said nothing about Bram, which proved to be difficult. She was being stubborn, which I didn't understand. She wasn't born part of this ridiculous family feud. She only married a man that was. And that man had yet to say more than two words to me.
I understood his hatred more than my mother's, or my sister's for that matter. His family's lies had put him in jail and although he was free now, that was 18 months of his life that he couldn't get back no matter how hard he tried.
But then again, Bram's father would never come home. He lost the whole rest of his life. He lost his son's graduation, and his other son's fifth birthday. His wife would never feel his embrace again.
I would feel better about the whole thing, but it all happened because Jared Malone was a scumbag. He cheated on my Great Grandmother with her sister Maggie. He tore a family apart when he left poor Maggie penniless, sisterless, and pregnant. His betrayal left a legacy of hatred that transcended the generations.
Yet, in spite of all of this, I still had Bram. Being around him let me forget all the pain surrounding us and left me with pure bliss. And I never could tire of his icy blue eyes. Just a glimpse could knock out my breath.
"Kait" My sister, Abby, called up to me, "Bram is here."
Even from downstairs I could here the disgust she pumped into Bram's name. I sat up and dashed over to my mirror. I had completely lost track of time. I ran a brush through my hair and grabbed my jacket. Grabbing my shoes as I ran towards the door I couldn't believe I had spent that much time daydreaming. The first time I had any interaction with the Crutchfields since the incident and I wasn't ready. My tank top was old, my jeans were frayed, and my hair could have used a great deal of work. But being late was not an option; my first impression hadn't been great. My second would be. Alice Crutchfield would adore me by the end of the night. She had to.
I could see Bram's smile widen as I appeared at the door. I let out a little gasp at the sight of his eyes, and a grin spread across my face. I opened the door and threw myself into his embrace. After a few seconds he said,
"You better pull away now or I'll just have to kiss you. Of course if I kiss you, then I won't want to stop. Then you'll have to explain to my mother why we're late."
I blushed and pulled myself upright. I raised my face level to his and locked his eyes with mine. I could see the anticipation in his face. A teasing smile danced on my lips as I gave him a quick peck and dragged him to the car.
"I have no intention of being late, buddy."